THE Cardross A Grade netball side made the top four last season but there was a wide chasm between the top trio and the Lions.
The team’s 6-9 record was four wins back of third-placed Nangiloc, who knocked out Cardy in the elimination final and then just went on to win the title.
That has provided new coach Bronte Burgess with an element of hope for better things to come.
But her main source for optimism is due to impressive form on the training track over the summer preseason.
“I think we are definitely going to be a little bit of a threat to the top sides this season,” Burgess said.
“A couple of new girls we have picked up have been excellent and have just fitted in with our club so well and the flow down the court has been working amazingly.
“We got Skye Saunders from Red Cliffs and she has been such a help in the midcourt and Tanisha Delcastegne, who hadn’t played competitive netball before, has been outstanding; just a good athlete.
“I have hope in us making our way up and from what I have seen in preseason, we have improved dramatically from last year.
“Our shooting has definitely gotten better with Georgia Leutner, who has come up from B Grade.
“I don’t know what other teams have done in the off-season, and they may have picked up some players as well, but I think we can make top three and see what happens from there.”